David Ayer Reveals His Original, Darker ‘Suicide Squad’ Cut Was Never Test-Screened

Suicide Squad was released in 2016 and received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Some people liked the characters and action, but many felt the plot was weak and the movie was disjointed.

The film was criticized for its uneven tone, pacing, and poorly timed jokes. Despite being one of the lowest-rated DCEU movies, it was still a box-office hit, and some fans have called for the release of Ayer’s original cut. Many believe the negative reaction was due to issues during post-production, but the full story is more complex.

David Ayer recently explained on X that his original, darker cut of Suicide Squad was never test-screened before last-minute changes were made, resulting in “madness.”

Nope. Not true at all. I made a drama. Studio wanted a comedy. Madness ensued. My cut was never tested or screened for an audience.

James Gunn released his version of The Suicide Squad in 2021 to reboot the franchise with a fresh direction. He aimed to bring his own style and humor to the film, while giving more freedom to the characters. This allowed him to take the story in a fun, irreverent direction.

Despite this, fans continue to demand the release of the so-called “Ayer Cut,” similar to the success of Snyder’s Justice League cut. In 2020, Ayer said his version would be “easy to release,” but nothing has happened with it yet.

Ayer’s comments clear up the idea that Suicide Squad‘s post-production problems were due to a bad reaction to his original cut. He also shared in a 2023 podcast that Batman v Superman was never test-screened, and the negative feedback from that film caused studio interference in Suicide Squad.

The studio shifted the tone of Suicide Squad from dark and serious to lighter, hoping to fix the damage to the franchise. This shows that Ayer’s original version was never fully considered.

It’s also another example of how studio interference hurt the DCEU.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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